Technical Terms

MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheet)

A material safety data sheet (MSDS), safety data sheet
(SDS), or product safety data sheet (PSDS) is an important component of
product stewardship and
occupational safety and health
. It is intended to provide workers and emergency personnel with procedures for handling or working with that substance in a safe manner, and
includes information such as physical data (melting point,
boiling point,
flash point, etc.), toxicity,
health effects,
first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment,
and spill-handling procedures. MSDS formats can vary from source to source within a country depending on national requirements.SDSs are a widely used system
for cataloging information on chemicals,
chemical compounds, and chemical
mixtures. SDS information may include instructions for the safe use and potential
hazards associated with a
particular material or product. These data sheets
can be found anywhere where chemicals are being used.There is also a duty to properly label substances on the basis of physico-chemical,
health and/or environmental risk. Labels can include hazard symbols such as the
European Union standard
black diagonal cross on an orange background, used to denote a harmful substance.An SDS for a substance is not primarily intended for use by the general consumer,
focusing instead on the hazards of working with the material in an occupational setting.In some jurisdictions, the SDS is required to state the chemical's risks,
safety, and effect on the environment.It is important to use an SDS specific to both country and supplier, as the same product (e.g. paints sold under identical
brand names by the same company) can have different formulations in different countries. The formulation and hazard of a product using a generic name (e.g. sugar soap) may vary between manufacturers in the same country.

R-phrases (Risk Phrases)

are defined in Annex III of
European UnionDirective 67/548/EEC:
Nature of special risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations. The list was consolidated and republished in
Directive 2001/59/EC,
where translations into other EU languages may be found.These risk phrases are used internationally, not just in Europe, and there is an ongoing effort
towards complete international harmonization. (Note: missing R-number combinations indicate phrases that were deleted or replaced by another phrase.)

S-phrases are defined in Annex IV of
European UnionDirective 67/548/EEC:
Safety advice concerning dangerous substances and preparations. The list was consolidated and republished in
Directive 2001/59/EC,
where translations into other EU languages may be found. The list was subsequently updated and republished in
Directive 2006/102/EC,
where translations to additional European languages were added.These safety phrases are used internationally and not just in Europe,
and there is an ongoing effort towards complete international harmonization. (Note: missing S-number combinations indicate phrases that
were deleted or replaced by another phrase.)